Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Minority communities in New York say they are forgotten COVID victims

Jeff Platsky, New York State Team
Published 3:25 p.m. ET May 18, 2020 | Updated 5:22 p.m. ET May 18, 2020

CLOSE

Communities of color are particularly hard hit by coronavirus, forcing local food banks to feed more with less as need increases all over the country.
USA TODAY

Addressing needs of the disenfranchised, particularly minority communities, is desperately missing from New York's coronavirus response, said a panel of representatives Monday from community organizations now trying to deal with the devastating pandemic impact.

From delivery people to front-line grocery workers, the panel said, there's a large portion of the minority community put at risk without commensurate assurances that their well-being is being protected.

That ranges from the lack of protective equipment to a dearth of testing in poor communities to economic assistance for the undocumented, many of whom are being imperiled by working under hazardous conditions, panel members said.

The pandemic has put more focus on health care and income disparities in minority communities. But while some officials have pledged to address those inequities, advocates said their communities can’t wait.

They spoke during a state legislative hearing Monday on the issue.

"There is a disconnect between what we need and what is being expressed," said Lorraine Braithwaite-Harte, of the NAACP New York State Conference, during Monday's legislative hearing, which was called to examine the disparate coronavirus impact on the state's minority population.

"The governor has a one-track mind. The fact is he does not have a system where everyone in the minority community is heard."

Across the state, but particularly in New York City, minority communities have been hard hit by the coronavirus.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has vowed to expand testing for the coronavirus and add more services in minority communities.

Earlier this month, he announced 24 temporary testing sites at churches in predominately minority communities in the New York City area, including one in Mount Vernon.

"I understand that this inequity, this disparity exists," Cuomo said May 9. "I understand it existed for decades; I understand it exists all across the country. It shouldn't be here."

Coronavirus' impact on minority communities

Wayne Ho of the Chinese-American Planning Council testifies before a special New York Legislative hearing on disparate COVID impact on minority communities.(Photo: Platsky, Jeff)

Based on most recent numbers from the state, though the African-American community represents 9% of the population outside New York City, black people represented 18% of the nearly 23,000 COVID-19 fatalities.

In the five boroughs, while African-Americans represent 22% of the residents, they accounted for 28% of the more than 15,000 deaths.

This Hispanic community, too, has recorded an outsize number of coronavirus deaths compared to its overall numbers in the community.

While the population corresponds to 29% of the population in New York City, the community represents 34% of the deaths. In the balance of the state, they constitute 12% of the population but account for 15% of the more than 6,000 deaths outside the city.

While the imbalance is less drastic among Asians, representatives of those communities believe deaths in their community are underreported for the lack of health insurance, and the undocumented fear seeking medical help because of the current national immigration mood.

"This disease is like a thief in the night," said Braithwaite-Harte, where the most vulnerable in the community take on the bulk of the impact.

A problem across the nation affecting minorities

Theresa Sanders of Urban League of Long Island testifies at the New York legislative hearing on COVIDs disparate impact on minority communities(Photo: Platsky, Jeff)

A survey in April by the Pew Research Center found 61% of Hispanics and 44% of blacks said they or someone in their household had lost a job or had their wages reduced because of the outbreak, compared with 38% of whites.

Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have raised the specter of sweeping budget cuts in the face of huge revenue shortfalls as tax collections dwindle as a result of the months-long economic shutdown.

Community-based organizations fear that those they consider most in need will will take a brunt of the fall from the pending funding cutbacks.

Wayne Ho, president of the Chinese American Planning Council, said a 20% cut would trim $2 million from his budget, forcing him to lay off staff, reduce child care and limit meal services, among other assistance his organization provides.

"We are leaving the most vulnerable on their own," said Assemblyman Ron Kim, D-Flushing, with the poor, undocumented and uninsured left to fend for themselves while privileged others get services.

Comments delivered during the session indicate some Assembly members will push the governor to resolve the issue by trying to raise state revenues by raising taxes on the wealthy, something the governor has been disinclined to do.

"More revenue, more revenue, more revenue," said state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, D-Bronx.

USA Today contributed to this story.

Jeff Platsky covers transportation and the economy for the USA TODAY Network New York. He can be reached at JPLATSKY@Gannett.com and followed on Twitter: @JeffPlatsky

Support local journalism

We cover the stories from the New York State Capitol and across New York that matter most to you and your family. Please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription to the New York publication nearest you. Check out the latest offer.